So Strong

At this moment, Erbi Monbilia was already severely wounded and barely clinging to life. He watched as Chen Xu shattered Dormammu's mirror-image avatar, his gaze vacant as he froze.

"What? How is that possible? How could you be this powerful? Even Dormammu's mirror-image avatar was no match for you! How could this be? Impossible!"

In Erbi Monbilia's heart, Dormammu had always been invincible. That image had long been deeply rooted within him. Even a mirror-image avatar should have been unbeatable, yet Chen Xu had shattered it right before his eyes. It was as if the faith in his heart had been smashed to pieces. How could he possibly accept that? His mind was already becoming unclear. Erbi Monbilia could not accept this reality, and neither could the mages taking the test outside the real world.

They had been delighted to see that Chen Xu was unharmed, but when he directly shattered Dormammu's mirror-image avatar, the joy of all the test mages in the real world turned into shock—utter, overwhelming shock.

Ever since becoming mages, they had known of Dormammu's existence. Their purpose in becoming Temple Mages was to protect Earth and resist enemies from other dimensions invading it. Dormammu was one of those invaders, and he could even be called the most powerful among them: an immortal, indestructible existence beyond time. He had always watched Earth greedily, seeking to drag it into his Dark Dimension. They had been fighting against him for who knew how long. Some had begun the moment they became Temple Mages. Yet they knew Dormammu had been invading Earth for far longer than that.

They knew that the Ancient One had lived for more than two thousand years, and that he had fought Dormammu for more than two thousand years. No—rather than calling it a battle, it was more accurate to call it resistance, resistance against Dormammu's invasion. Yet Dormammu simply could not be driven away. They lacked both the ability and the time. Dormammu was immortal and indestructible, while they Temple Mages were still human. Although becoming mages made them somewhat stronger than ordinary people, they still had to grow old and die. Dormammu, however, remained. That was why they recruited apprentices. Only then could they maintain the strength to fight Dormammu to the end and protect Earth from being dragged into the Dark Dimension.

Yet the Ancient One had lived for over two thousand years. Some said he had already become a god, while others said he had mastered magic that granted eternal life. No one knew the real reason, and no one dared ask. Even direct disciples like Mordo and Erbi Monbilia did not know. They only knew that he had resisted Dormammu for a very long time.

And now, Chen Xu had actually defeated Dormammu. Even if it had only been a mirror-image avatar, it was still not something they could defeat. Otherwise, they would not have been trapped outside, unable to enter and provide aid.

By now, they probably all had only one thought in their hearts: Had Chen Xu already become this powerful?

Just then, the red mark on Erbi Monbilia's forehead flickered, and suddenly—

"Chen Xu, kill me quickly. Please, kill me quickly!"

Seeing this, Chen Xu was somewhat at a loss.

Shouldn't he be begging for mercy? Why was he begging to die instead?

"Since you want to die, I'll grant your wish."

Chen Xu did not hesitate for long. He directly created a fireball and threw it over. Erbi Monbilia was instantly burned to ashes.

"Thank you. I am finally free."

At that moment, the dark power isolating the Dark Dimension from the real world vanished along with Dormammu's mirror-image avatar. Mordo and the other mages in the real world entered as well to support Chen Xu. Looking at Erbi Monbilia's corpse, Mordo did not know what he was thinking. Perhaps he felt anger, regret, or sorrow for a fellow disciple he had known for many years. Yet he soon let it go.

They quickly returned to the real world with Chen Xu. The Dark Dimension was not their territory. If they remained there and Dormammu returned, that would be troublesome.

"Chen Xu, you have completed two parts of the Temple Mage assessment. There is still one remaining."

"What is the last one?"

"Originally, you were supposed to pass an interview with the Temple Mages at the British Sanctum, but now..."

As he said this, they all tacitly glanced at the place where Erbi Monbilia had died.

"Then go meet the Ancient One."

Chen Xu froze. He was going to meet the Ancient One at last—the moment had finally come to meet this legendary figure.

"Ah, all right."

By now, the New York Sanctum was in complete chaos.

The news that Chen Xu had defeated Dormammu's mirror-image avatar, that Erbi Monbilia had fallen into darkness, and that Chen Xu had freed him instantly spread throughout the New York Sanctum, Kamar-Taj, and even the entire magical world of Earth.

Within the Ancient One's Sanctum, the Ancient One was discussing something with several Temple Mages.

"Master, aren't we going to support the New York Sanctum? We can still make it in time."

"There is no need."

"What?"

Everyone was at their wits' end and did not know what to do. But once the news arrived that Chen Xu had shattered Dormammu's mirror-image avatar and freed Erbi Monbilia, the room instantly fell silent.

Chen Xu was also heading toward the Ancient One's Sanctum. Along the way, everyone voluntarily stepped aside, looking at him with reverence. The sight left Chen Xu utterly bewildered, but this feeling of being watched once again satisfied his urge to show off.

As Chen Xu neared the main hall, he also saw several instructors who had once taught at Kamar-Taj.

When he reached the center of the Sanctum, all the mages stood in rows on both sides, respectfully looking toward the figure in the middle: a bald man dressed in yellow robes. That was right—he was the Ancient One, the Sorcerer Supreme. Chen Xu recognized him at once, because that bald head was simply too conspicuous.

As Chen Xu arrived, everyone looked at him, though the meanings in their gazes differed. There was envy, surprise, and everything in between.

"Greetings, fellow mages. Greetings, Sorcerer Supreme."

Chen Xu looked at the Ancient One. It was his first time seeing him in person, and he could not help feeling excited.

The Ancient One's eyes shone with wisdom, as though they could see right through him. Chen Xu's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately lowered his head, not daring to meet his gaze.

The Ancient One looked at Chen Xu, though no one knew what he was thinking.

"The third test is waived."

"I now announce that, from this moment onward, Chen Xu is a Temple Mage."

Hearing this, Chen Xu was overjoyed and momentarily at a loss for what to do.

"Thank you, Sorcerer Supreme."

"I hope you will contribute your own strength to protecting Earth."

"May I make a request?"

The question startled the Ancient One, as well as everyone around him. What did he want to do?

"What request? Go ahead."